Literaturdatenbank
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Ewert, M. A., Jackson, D. R., & Buhlmann, K. A. (2006). Deirochelys reticularia – chicken turtle. In P. A. Meylan (Ed.), Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles Vol. 3, (pp. 249–259).
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:10:43 UTC) |
| Resource type: Book Article BibTeX citation key: Ewert2006 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Habitat - habitat, Malaclemys terrapin, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises Creators: Buhlmann, Ewert, Jackson, Meylan Collection: Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles |
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| Abstract |
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The chicken turtle, Deirochelys reticularia, is a medium-sized, highly predaceous emydid turtle that frequents ephemeral shallow waters of the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain. It is seldom associated with permanent lakes, streams, or rivers. The species is carnivorous throughout life and feeds principally on aquatic insects and crayfish, and occasionally amphibian larvae. Individuals acquire large fat stores while feeding and spend long dry periods quiescent in terrestrial refugia, most often in forested habitats. The Florida nesting season occurs mainly during the fall and winter. The eggs have arrested development in advance of cool weather. This chill-dependent embryonic diapause results in long periods of time that the eggs are in the nest. Population densities tend to be naturally low, which may be well suited to broad areas of isolated or weakly connected wetlands. However, wetland drainage and habitat fragmentation impact the species. These changes can lead to net habitat loss and place wandering individuals in harm’s way during peak road use by vehicular traffic. Although invasive fire ants pose a threat to nests, their long-term impact upon the species is unknown. Chicken turtle populations in Florida have been recognized as two subspecies, essentially peninsular and panhandle, but conservation and management should simply address protection of the species and its habitat statewide.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |